For 2022, I will be coming to you with weekly IDP Sleepers to help you set your lineups. Who are the Week 16 IDP sleepers that you should look to obtain for your roster before the price skyrockets?
Here are your Week 16 IDP Sleepers, one from each level of the defense.
1. Josh Sweat, DL, Philadelphia Eagles
Josh Sweat is a fifth-year player out of Florida State, selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. They say the best ability in fantasy football is availability, and Sweat has missed just three games in his career. He started 13 games for the Eagles last year and became a solid producer for the defense.
Sweat’s best year to date was last year when he posted 45 tackles (19 solos), 7 tackles for a loss, 13 QB hits, 7.5 sacks, 4 passes defended, and 1 forced fumble. He played 60% of the defensive snaps or more in 11 games. Sweat posted four or more tackles in seven of his games. There is nothing better for an IDP roster than a defensive end that gets tackles.
A Break-Out 2022
Sweat is on pace to post career bests in all categories of IDP scoring. A defensive lineman usually plays about 50% of the snaps, he has posted 70% or better in defensive snaps twice this year. In his 14 games, which he has started in all 14, Sweat has posted 44 tackles (30 solos), 14 tackles for a loss, 21 QB hits, 9.5 sacks, and a forced fumble.
In his last four games, Sweat has been on a mission. He has delivered 14 tackles (9 solos), 6 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, and at least one sack in his last four games. Season-long, Sweat is DE10 in my league of record and DE6 over the last four weeks combined. How is he ranked DL55 on the FantasyPros Dynasty rankings this week?
That is a value that can not be ignored and will help you this year and in the future. Sweat belongs on your roster.
2. Drue Tranquill, LB, Los Angeles Chargers
Tranquill is a fourth-year linebacker out of Notre Dame. He is my selection to join the Week 16 IDP Sleepers list based on his consistency and defensive snaps for a good Chargers defense. Tranquill did not earn the full-time starting role until this year. He did not hit 100% of the defensive snaps until Week 4.
Since then, his lowest percent of defensive snaps has been 95%, 99%, and 100% in the other nine games. Weeks 1-3 ranged from 60% to 84% of the defensive snaps. So far, the best year for Tranquill was last year when he started half of the 14 games he played. He produced a respectable 76 tackles (45 solos), 5 tackles for a loss, 3 QB hits, 1.5 sacks, 1 pass defense, and a fumble recovery.
Reliable and Concrete.
As the starting linebacker, Tranquill has posted double-digit tackles in five games and had at least seven tackles in all but four games. His best game was against the San Francisco 49ers when he posted 15 tackles. Year to date, Tranquill is crushing all of his career highs in every possible stat. He has delivered a whopping 118 tackles (82 solos), 7 tackles for a loss, 7 QB hits, 4 sacks, 4 passes defended, an interception, and a forced fumble.
In FantasyPros Dynasty rankings this week, Tranquill is LB82. In my league of record, he is LB9 year to date. He has not gotten the respect that he deserves in the IDP community. Snatch him up now and prosper this year in the playoffs and in the years to come. He might not even be rostered in your leagues. It is worth a look and worth doing a price check.
3. Taron Johnson, DB, Buffalo Bills
Taron Johnson is in his fifth year after being drafted by the Bills in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He started two games as a rookie and followed that up with seven starts in his second year. In his first two years with the Bills, Johnson delivered 92 tackles (73 solos), 3 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks, 8 passes defended, an interception, and 2 forced fumbles.
In 2020, Johnson claimed a permanent spot in the Bills’ defensive backfield due to his results on the field. It was also his best year to date with 94 tackles (70 solos), 5 tackles for a loss, 3 QB hits, 7 passes defended, 1 interception for a touchdown, and a forced fumble. Cornerbacks usually don’t post these kinds of tackle numbers, but Johnson comes up in run support and is a football player.
Lock it Down
Johnson does not miss many plays and is so consistent in the stats he posts. In 2022, he was another top 5 cornerback with 79 tackles (58 solos), 5 tackles for a loss, 8 passes defended, an interception, and a fumble recovery. In 10 out of his 14 games, Johnson has posted five tackles or more. He has hit double-digit scoring in my league of record in 13 of his 14 games.
The one game he didn’t hit double digits in points was week 12 against the Detroit Lions, where he scored nine points. He was short by one point in posting double-digit scores every week.
Johnson is ranked DB63 on the FantasyPros Dynasty rankings this week. He is a cornerback and a must-roster cornerback in all CB-required leagues. Johnson is CB4 in my league of record. A price check is a must in your leagues. Not just to win a championship this year but also to keep winning them.
Thank you for checking out my NFL Week 16 IDP Sleepers article! You can read all of my articles on my IDP Guys author page. Be sure to follow me on Twitter at @OldMan_FF and @IDPGuys (we have offense, too), and please consider becoming a subscriber!
